LRN AM Newscall January 22

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley will continue in his role after BESE unanimously voted for his reappointment. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Governor Landry wanted to change Louisiana elections from jungle primaries to a closed-party primary system and the legislature passed a bill, but it wasn’t everything Landry proposed. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Governor Jeff Landry calls the results of the special session an exciting day for Louisiana. Jeanne Burns has more…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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We’ve already heard the 2024 crawfish season could be one of the worst ever in terms of supply and prices due to a historic drought. And LSU Agent Crawfish Specialist Mark Shirley warns the outlook for next year isn’t promising either.

Cut 4 (06) “…next year.”

He says the fields that don’t have crawfish this year will have to be restocked and with limited availability, it creates issues for the 2025 crop.

Shirley says the only possible source for wild crawfish in May and June will be from the Atchafalaya Basin crop. And unfortunately, the current water level in the Basin is extremely low at one to two feet.

Cut 5 (06) “…the winter.” 

Any chance to increase the number of crawfish in the Atchafalaya Basin, Shirley says depends on snowmelt from the north flowing down the Mississippi River and…

Cut 6 (10) “…the Basin.”

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Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley has unanimously been reappointed to continue to serve in his position by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Brumley says he’s anxious to continue working in the role he’s held for four years.

Cut 7 (11) “…to go.”

In his first four years, Brumley navigated the state’s school system through a global pandemic and multiple hurricanes. During that period the state’s overall ranking according to The Nation’s Report Card moved from 46th to 42nd and the state’s 4th graders were ranked number one in the country for reading growth.

Cut 8 (12) “…to go.” 

With disruptions in the rearview mirror, Brumley says the department can now focus on getting back to the basics, reading, writing, arithmetic, and other priorities like…

Cut 9 (12)  “…kid’s education.”

Brumley says he’s looking forward to working with Governor Jeff Landry and new members of the legislature.

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In last week’s special session, the Louisiana Legislature passed a bill to change from jungle primary elections to closed party primaries but only for federal elections, and elections for State Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and BESE. Public Affairs Research Council President Steve Procopio says the bill passed so quickly it left much room for confusion but at least it won’t be implemented until 2026…

Cut 10 (11) “…even more.”

Unaffiliated voters will be able to vote in the party primaries, but registered Independents, Libertarians, and other Third-party registered voters will not. Procopio says the changes will impact many Louisiana voters…

Cut 11 (10) “…state level.” 

The bill passed in less than a week with little time for public input but Procopio believes it’s really up to the voters to accept or reject the changes…

Cut 12 (11) “…pull back more.” 

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The special session is over and two major pieces of legislation came out of it. Lawmakers approved a Congressional map with two majority Black districts and Louisiana’s federal elections will shift from open primaries to party primaries starting in 2026. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Governor Landry advocated hard for party primary elections…

Cut 13 (11) “…change that.”

Elections for the Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will also move party primaries in 2026. Unaffiliated voters will be able to vote in those primary elections.

Landry says the outcome of the special session is a win for the people of Louisiana…

Cut 14 (08) “…great state” 

Governor Landry is expected to sign the new Congressional districting map. It includes a second majority-minority district, which is what a federal judge ordered the Louisiana Legislature to do. Landry says it was important for lawmakers to redraw the political boundaries…

Cut 15 (08) …Congressional maps“

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LSU men’s basketball could not defend its home court on Saturday as they lost to Texas A-and-M 73-69. The Aggies had 21 offensive rebounds to LSU’s six and they outscored the Tigers 27-0 in second-chance points. LSU Coach Matt McMahon’s team is now 3-2 in the SEC…

Cut 16 (16) “..won the game” 

Six-foot-ten Jalen Reed had ten points and says they need to do a better job on the glass for the rest of the season…

Cut 17 (23) “…happen again” 

Jordan Wright had a double-double, 15 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort.

Cut 18 (18)  “…tougher team” 

LSU is on the road this week, at Georgia on Wednesday and Alabama on Saturday night.

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The tenth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team scored the first 18 points of yesterday’s game against Arkansas on their way to a 99-68. Freshman MIkaylah Williams led all scorers with 21 points. Hailey Van Lith had 20 points and six assists. Angel Reese had her 11th double-double, 16 points and 17 boards. Reese says Van Lith is doing well as the team’s point guard…

Cut 19 (19) “… really good” 

LSU is 18-2 overall, 5-1 in the SEC. Up next is a highly anticipated matchup against top-ranked South Carolina. The Lady Tigers won in blowout fashion in their two games since losing to Auburn last Sunday. Coach Kim Mulkey says they are playing with more togetherness since the loss to Auburn…

Cut 20 (22) “…do it collectively.”